Seasonal Tree Lights to Go Dark

Fairhope, Alabama



NOVEMBER TO MARCH

Lights in downtown trees will go dark and be taken down as leaves begin to sprout and grow.

They are usually cut out of the trees to save on time and cost (labor); Mayor Wilson has said more durable lights could be procured next year that would last more than one season.

A private company was hired last Fall to install them for the first time, to save on the labor costs of having city electric department employees do it (overtime) -- and free them up for other higher-priority projects.








Comments

Anonymous said…
So your telling me that the $300,000 + that we paid to have these lights put up are then cut down and discarded?
Publisher said…
The total cost this year was about $155K as we recall, including the cost of the lights themselves ... about $12K less than in previous years.

Labor cost is always the biggest part.

As always, it is less expensive to just cut them out of the trees than expend endless man-hours doing it by hand.

The mayor has proposed possibly buying more durable lights next time that could be left up for several years; but they will be more costly ... of course.
Anonymous said…
You mean leave on the trees for several years? Nope, not a good idea as it restricts the trees growth.
Anonymous said…
U can't be serious! Leaving strings of Xmas lights on the trees will not restrict the trees' growth.
Anonymous said…
Yes it will! Have had it happen. The trees will start growing around the lights.
Anonymous said…
choke the tree branch, kill the tree branch
Anonymous said…
Unbelievable that this a priority and the town is falling apart. Fairhope is all for show....... sewage overflowing but the lights and flowers are in check
Anonymous said…
Exactly where do you believe sewage is "overflowing?"
Anonymous said…
Where have you been, it has been an ongoing issue for years , who want to argue about it bring it on. Read previous post on this blog if this is your only news source ...... sad
Anonymous said…
there are less expensive ways to put up lights other thanin the trees....